What an automatic discount in your basket is

An automatic discount is applied as soon as certain conditions are met, such as a minimum order value or a minimum number of items, without you having to enter a code. The basket then usually shows a message such as "Discount applied", and the total visibly drops the moment the condition is reached.

Unlike a standard discount code, there is nothing to type in and nothing to click. That makes the promotion convenient, but also easier to miss if you are not specifically looking at the total in your basket.

A discount like this is often not mentioned on the product page at all, because it only arises from what is in your basket. It is only in the basket itself, usually on a separate line above the subtotal, that you can see whether the automatic discount has actually been taken off and how much it comes to.

How it differs from a code you enter yourself

A code you enter yourself requires a deliberate step on your part: you have to know the code, type it into a field and confirm it. An automatic discount, by contrast, runs in the background, controlled purely by what is in your basket. Both can exist side by side, although shops often specify that only one of the two counts, frequently the one that is better for you.

If you also enter a code while an automatic discount is already applied, the total may not change at all, because the shop only applies the larger of the two discounts.

A worked example: automatic discount above a minimum order value

Say a shop automatically gives 15 per cent off orders of 50 euros or more. You put three items at 20, 20 and 15 euros in your basket, making 55 euros in total. Because you are above the threshold, the discount kicks in automatically: 15 per cent of 55 euros is 8.25 euros, so you pay 46.75 euros.

If you take the 15-euro item back out of the basket instead, the order value drops to 40 euros and is therefore below the 50-euro threshold. The automatic discount disappears completely and you pay the full 40 euros. That is still less than the 46.75 euros for the bigger basket with the discount, even though the discounted figure looks cheaper at first glance.

Why an automatic discount can suddenly disappear

Because an automatic discount is tied to conditions in your current basket, it can disappear as soon as those conditions change: an item is removed, a size sells out and is taken out of the basket, or the order value falls below the threshold because of another automatic effect. Unlike a code you have entered, which often stays saved until you complete the order, an automatic discount is checked again every time something in the basket changes.

That explains why a discount you could see earlier sometimes vanishes from the basket for no obvious reason, even though you have not changed anything about the item you actually wanted to buy.

Whether an automatic discount is already the best one available

An automatic discount is often presented as if it were already the best deal on offer, because it appears without you doing anything. But that is not necessarily true. There may also be a discount code that saves you more on your particular basket, for example because it applies to a specific category that the automatic discount does not cover.

So it is worth quickly entering a code you know about, even if an automatic discount is already showing, and comparing the total afterwards, rather than relying on the automatic display alone.

If the total stays the same after you enter it, the shop has already applied the larger of the two discounts. If the amount drops further, the automatic discount was not the best option for your basket after all, just the most convenient one.

What to look out for in your basket

• Check the total before and after you reach a possible threshold, rather than relying only on the message text.
• Work out whether adding an item to reach the threshold really costs less than doing without it.
• Enter a discount code you know about as well, to see whether the amount drops any further.
• Before you go to the checkout, see whether the discount is still showing after any change to your basket.

How several discounts can be combined in one order is explained in the article Combining discounts. What you need to know about minimum spend and exclusions on discount codes is covered in the article Minimum order value, exclusions, combinability. You can read how a discount on the cheapest item is calculated in the article Working out a discount on the cheapest item. You can find current codes by category on the categories page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to enter anything to get an automatic discount?

No, it is applied as soon as the set conditions are met in your basket, without you having to type in a code.

Can I combine an automatic discount with a code?

That depends on the shop. Some only apply the larger of the two, while others let both count together. The total in your basket after entering the code tells you for sure.

Why has my automatic discount suddenly gone?

Usually because the basket has changed and the condition for the discount, such as a minimum order value, is no longer met. The discount is checked again with every change to the basket, even if you have not changed anything yourself, for example because an item sold out in the meantime.

Is an automatic discount always the best option available?

Not necessarily. There may be an additional code that saves you more on your basket, for example because it is aimed at a specific category or brand. A quick test with a code you know about is therefore worth it before you finally place your order.